Ashleigh Keizer
Areas of practice
- Adoption Issues
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- Life Transitions
- Marriage and/or Relationship Issues
- Personal Growth
- Pre-Marital Counselling
- Religious/Spiritual trauma
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Trauma - Family and friends affected by
- Trauma Counselling
- Women's Issues
Approaches used
- Adoption Counselling
- AEDP
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Emotion Focused Therapy
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- In Person Counselling
- Internal Family Systems
- Marriage & Couples Counselling
- Mindfulness approaches
- Online / Virtual / Telehealth Counselling
- Spiritual Counselling
- Video Counselling
Counselling practice website:
www.wholeheartedlife.caPractice information:
Finding the “right” counsellor can feel like a big task! My hope is that as you read through this space, you might feel that I am someone who can sit with you and help navigate some of the challenges you’ve experienced. My deepest privilege is coming alongside my clients, listening as you share and beginning to understand what happened to you. Often, what you have gone through has shaped some of how you now experience life. I can help you explore those experiences, how they have affected perhaps your past and now your current relationships, behaviour or thought patterns, and even how you perceive yourself, your kids, or your partner. Understanding some of these things can open the door to self-compassion, and bring meaning and healing to your life.
You wonder what might happen if you really open yourself up and share that you are struggling. You worry you might be judged or end up feel even more alone. Friends, family, your partner – they couldn’t possibly understand what you’re going through. You wonder how you got here, and now, how to navigate a new path. It’s exhausting and confusing. Shame might be a weight you carry.
Life can be hard, disappointing and sometimes it gets the better of us. I believe it takes incredible strength, courage, and vulnerability to reach out and ask for a little help. I wholly believe you are trying your best…and sometimes life is just overwhelming. You are hardwired for connection. As you begin to (re)connect with parts of yourself that you’ve felt disconnected from, you will starting noticing your authentic self. This will bring glimmers of joy, relief, truth and new noticing. It brings hope.
Hope comes in feeling seen and in experiencing belonging. It’s cultivated through little moments of curiosity, vulnerability, and courage. Through words, tears, silence, and yes, maybe even a little laughter…hope and healing shine their light into the darkness.
I work from a trauma-informed perspective. This just means that I believe your past informs your present. Every person is unique in their experiences, and I integrate a person-centered approach into your sessions with this in mind…you will be safe and valued, welcomed and accepted, and never judged. As you are ready, we will explore your experiences. We will work together at your pace. This is your time, your journey and your story, after all.
I am a trauma-informed therpist and use framework from a few therapeutic approaches. I integrate Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness practices, Attachment-based perspective, and some Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and the Gottman Method depending on your needs and experiences. These approaches are influential in helping understand, safely process and heal from trauma. As a transracial parent, I respect and uphold a culturally sensitive approach to counselling. I welcome individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life with or without spiritual beliefs and experiences.
Areas of focus include trauma, anxiety, stress, shame, parenting, attachment, relationships and couples. This is not an exhaustive list, but a few of the focused places in which I best support my clients. In 2022, I facilitated a webinar focused on boundaries, for BCACC’s Matters of the Mind. I’m passionate about boundaries!
I deeply enjoy working with Couples. Perhaps you are struggling to see eye to eye with the person you love more than anyone, these days. Do you recall what it’s like to be friends with that person? When was the last time you shared a moment, just the two of you? Exploring conflict, healthy communication and other connection strategies in counselling can help to recognize what may be out of balance within your relationship.
I connect best with teens over 17 years, adults, and couples. I offer in-person daytime sessions and virtual/online daytime and evening sessions. I offer complimentary 15-min phone consults. In-person appointments are most easily booked by emailing me. Online appointments and consultations can be booked direction through the orange scheduling button below.
Specialized training:
- - Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Immersion
- The Gottman Method for Couples Counselling Level 1
- The Gottman Method for Couples Counselling Level 2
Client fee individuals:
$150 per 50 min sessionClient fee couples/families:
$220 per 75 min sessionAvailability:
| MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday | SunSunday | |
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| MorningAM | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | ||
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| EveningLate | Available |